Doom's 32nd birthday has birthed a site which lets you rip and tear through fan-made levels in your browser
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Celebrate Doom's 32nd birthday by playing fan-created levels directly in your browser via DoomScroll, a new website from James Baicoianu and Jason Scott.
To celebrate its 32nd anniversary, the iconic game Doom, known for its adaptability to run on almost anything, now has another way to be enjoyed. A new website called DoomScroll allows users to play a variety of fan-made levels (WADs) directly in their browsers.
Software engineer James Baicoianu and internet archivist Jason Scott created DoomScroll, as Pewpew Caboom Gamer first reported. The site presents a list of Doom levels created by fans over the years. Players can select a level, such as "Where? The Warehouse!" by Giant Bomb co-founder Jeff Gerstmann, and view information about it on a Doom-themed laptop display. Clicking the map's outline starts the demon-blasting action.
Other available levels include titles like Christmas Doom, Yet Another Doom Level, and Missouri Rat Light. Many level titles feature the word "hell."
Baicoianu stated on BlueSky that their goal was to increase accessibility and visibility for decades of work from one of gaming's most creative communities. He noted the range of content, from simple maps made by beginners to total conversions with new music, textures, and sprites created by teams that later became game studios.
That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. some WADs may not function correctly. For example, Doom modder and YouTuber Major Arlene pointed out on BlueSky that the "Army of Darkness" WAD currently only displays a black screen. She also raised concerns about whether all modders have given permission for redistribution of their work and if proper credit is always given.
Some of the 'read me' files associated with the maps do include redistribution guidelines and web addresses (though not hyperlinked) where the WADs could be obtained. Testing one of these links from Gerstmann's level resulted in a failed webpage load. Currently, DoomScroll appears to be relying on the information provided in the original text files created by the level designers. Baicoianu responded that he plans to add a "flag this wad" option for users to report problematic content.
Scoopliner.com has reached out to both Baicoianu and Major Arlene for comment.
